Smart Mailbox

ABSTRACT

An adjustable and lockable mailbox includes a body; a door affixed to a front portion of the body, the door having a mail slot; a platform positioned below the body, the platform providing horizontal movement of the body; a vertical telescopic post attached to the body, the vertical telescopic post providing vertical movement of the body; and a lock mechanism inside the body to secure the door to the body. The mailbox also may include at least one solar panel and/or a battery/electronic box affixed to the body to power the lock mechanism, the platform, and/or the vertical telescopic post. The interior of the body may be watertight when the door is in a closed position. The mailbox may include a camera and/or remote locking.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/718,378 filed Apr. 12, 2022, the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to mailboxes, and moreparticularly to lockable and adjustable mailboxes.

BACKGROUND

Mailboxes in rural areas typically include a vertical post and ahorizontal bar that support the mailbox in a fixed position. The mailboxcompartment is accessed through the door by flipping the door down.These rural mailboxes may be mounted or positioned at a distance from ahome/business where it is difficult to identify whether tampering withincoming mail has occurred. A lock on the door to the mailboxcompartment can restrict access to the mailbox to a person with a key tothe lock, but this can be inefficient for the mail carrier. Further, inrural areas, the mail carrier may be tasked with delivery of packagesthat may not fit in traditional mailboxes. Also, because mail deliveryin rural areas may be performed in vehicles of various types, the heightand positioning of the vertical post and horizontal bar of the mailboxesmay result in the mail carrier needing to exit the vehicle to delivermail or packages.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an adjustable andlockable mailbox comprising a body; a door affixed to a front portion ofthe body, the door having a mail slot; a platform positioned below thebody, the platform providing horizontal movement of the body; a verticaltelescopic post attached to the body, the vertical telescopic postproviding vertical movement of the body; and a lock mechanism inside thebody to secure the door to the body. The mailbox also may include atleast one solar panel and/or a battery/electronic box affixed to thebody to power the lock mechanism, the platform, and/or the verticaltelescopic post. The interior of the body may be watertight when thedoor is in a closed position. The mailbox may include a camera that mayallow a mail recipient associated with the mailbox to monitor access tothe mailbox. The lock mechanism may provide remote locking for a mailrecipient associated with the mailbox to selectively permit access tothe mailbox.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is nowmade to the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A-1B depict a mailbox according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 2A-2B depict a mailbox with an open door showing an internal lockmechanism according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3A-3D depict telescopic height adjustment for a mailbox accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 4A-4B depict horizontal movement for a mailbox according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 depicts a solar panel and battery/electronic box for a mailboxaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 depicts a ball detent latch mechanism for a mailbox according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7A depicts a mail slot for a mailbox according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 7B depicts a cover for a mail slot for a mailbox according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts a hand pull for manual operation of a mailbox accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 9A-9F depict another mailbox according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts a further mailbox structure according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 depicts another mailbox according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 12 depicts a horizontal slide mechanism for a mailbox according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 depicts another view of a horizontal slide mechanism for amailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 depicts a bottom view of a horizontal slide mechanism for amailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 depicts a view of a mailbox in an open position according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 depicts a side view of a mailbox in an open position accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 17-20 depict views of a horizontal slide mechanism for a mailboxaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 depicts a top opening mailbox according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 22 depicts a bottom view of a top opening mailbox according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 depicts an interior view of a top opening mailbox according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 24-25 depict a top opening mailbox mounted to a solid mountaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 26-29 depicts a mount for a top opening mailbox according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 30 depicts a back view of a top opening mailbox according to anembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 31-33 depict a top opening mailbox attached to a front openingmailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a smart mailbox, suchas a lockable and adjustable mailbox, particularly for use in ruralareas. The mailbox according to embodiments of the present disclosuremay allow the mailbox to be secure while receiving mail and packages ofvarious shapes and sizes. Accordingly, the mailbox may be used toreceive as many different types of boxes and/or packages in embodimentsof the present disclosure. The mailbox according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure also may be adjustable, whether horizontally,telescopically, or both horizontally and telescopically, to allow formail delivery to be performed in vehicles of various types, withoutrequiring the mail carrier to exit his/her vehicle. This adjustabilityalso may enable a mail recipient associated with the mailbox to accesshis/her mail or packages in various types of vehicles without requiringthe recipient to exit the vehicle.

More specifically, the mailbox according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be horizontally adjustable so that the entire mailbox maybe pulled forward to allow for easier access to the door of the mailbox,such as when the mail carrier or mail recipient is in his/her vehicle.The mailbox may then be pushed back to its original position after ithas been accessed in embodiments of the present disclosure. The mailboxalso may be telescopic so that it may be adjusted in a verticaldirection depending on the needs of the mail carrier and/or recipient.It also should be appreciated that the mailbox may default to a standardpostal setting in embodiments of the present disclosure.

It should be appreciated that a mailbox according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be provided in a size and shape to accommodate asmany types of boxes as desired. The mailbox may be watertight. In someembodiments of the present disclosure, the mailbox may be outfitted witha camera to allow the mail recipient associated with the mailbox tomonitor access to the mailbox. It should be appreciated that the cameramay be positioned inside or outside the mailbox without departing fromthe present disclosure. At least one motion sensor may be provided inconnection with the mailbox in embodiments of the present disclosure,and it should be appreciated that the motion sensor may be adjusted forsensitivity, such as to detect when the door of the mailbox has beenopened or has been tampered with in some manner. The mailbox accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure may include remote locking sothat the mail recipient associated with the mailbox may selectivelypermit access to the mailbox. There also may be embodiments where themail carrier may lock the mailbox when mail and/or packages have beendelivered. It should be appreciated that features such as remote lockingand adjustability may be manual or electronic in embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The mailbox according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure also may include a solar panel.

FIG. 1A depicts mailbox 10 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Mailbox 10 may include body 101 having door 102 with mailslot 103 disposed within door 102. FIG. 1B depicts cover 108 which maybe provided over mail slot 103 in embodiments of the present disclosure.Body 101 may be movable in a horizontal direction using platform 107,which may be positioned under and glidably attached to body 101.However, it should be appreciated that other mechanisms for attachmentbetween body 101 and platform 107 may be provided without departing fromthe present disclosure. Vertical post 106 may be attached eitherdirectly to body 101 or to body 101 via platform 107 and may be mountedto the ground or other surface. It should be appreciated that verticalpost 106 may be telescopic so that body 101 may be adjusted in avertical direction according to embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 1B depicts a reverse telescopic vertical post. In some embodimentsof the present disclosure, mailbox 10 may include solar panel 105 andbattery/electronic box 104 to power components of mailbox 10 including,but not limited to, internal lock mechanism and/or adjustment mechanismsvia vertical post 106 and/or platform 107. It should be appreciated thatthe solar panel and battery/electronic box may act as a counterweight tokeep the horizontal mechanism balanced and not falling out of themailbox. While battery/electronic box 104 is depicted herein, it shouldbe appreciated that other mechanism may be used to power components ofmailbox 10 including, but not limited to, AC or DC power. It also shouldbe appreciated that mailbox 10 may be tied into or connected with awireless communication system associated with a house or otherstructure, such as Wi-Fi. Such a connection may enable control of smartfeatures of mailbox 10. In some embodiments of the present disclosure,an outdoor extender may be provided for use with mailbox 10 to allow foruse of Wi-Fi with the house or other structure even when separated bydistance.

FIGS. 2A and 2B depict mailbox 10 with door 102 in an open positionshowing internal lock mechanism 201 according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. It should be appreciated that internal lockmechanism 201 may provide for remote locking in embodiments of thepresent disclosure. Internal lock mechanism 201 may be positioned withindoor 102. It should be appreciated that internal lock mechanism 201 maybe provided in different formats, whether manual, mechanical,electronic, and/or magnetic, in embodiments of the present disclosure.In some embodiments, the latch may be physically locked once a packageor mail has been delivered so that no power may be needed to keep themailbox locked until the mail recipient opens.

A bridge lattice structure, or other similar type of tight structure,may be provided within mailbox 10 for additional security. This latticestructure may provide flexibility for the mailbox while also providingrigidness. The lattice structure may be formed of reinforced plastic inan embodiment of the present disclosure; however, other materials thatprovide flexibility and rigidness may be utilized without departing fromthe present disclosure. While FIGS. 2A-2B depict a bridge latticestructure on door 102 and the inner walls of mailbox 10, there may beother embodiments where a bridge lattice structure may be employed inother parts of mailbox 10. Also, as will be described in more detailwith respect to FIGS. 3A-3B, FIGS. 2A and 2B depict differentconfigurations for telescopic height adjustment.

FIGS. 3A-3D depict telescopic height adjustment of vertical post 106 fora mailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3Adepicts telescopic height adjustment in a vertical direction. Morespecifically, FIG. 3A(I) depicts vertical post 106A at a first (lowest)height, FIG. 3A(II) depicts vertical post 106B at a second (middle)height, and FIG. 3A(III) depicts vertical post 106C at a third (highest)height. While three heights are depicted herein, it should beappreciated that more or fewer heights may be provided for vertical post106 without departing from the present disclosure. FIG. 3B depictstwo-dimensional telescopic height adjustment in a vertical direction fora mailbox. Similar to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B(I) depicts the vertical post at afirst (lowest) height, FIG. 3B(II) depicts the vertical post at a second(middle) height, and FIG. 3B(III) depicts the vertical post at a third(highest) height. FIGS. 3C-3D depict telescopic height adjustment of thevertical post in an opposite direction.

FIGS. 4A-4B depict horizontal movement via a platform of a mailboxaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically,FIG. 4A(I) depicts platform 107A at a first position, and FIG. 4A(II)depicts platform 107B at a second position. Similar to FIG. 4A, FIG.4B(I) depicts the platform at a first position, and FIG. 4B(II) depictsthe platform at a second position. While two positions are depicted forthe platform in FIGS. 4A-4B, it should be appreciated that more or fewerpositions for the platform may be provided without departing from thepresent disclosure. Also, while FIGS. 4A-4B depict one configuration oftelescopic height adjustment, it should be appreciated that thetelescopic movement may be reversed, such as in FIG. 2B, withoutdeparting from the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts solar panel 105 and battery/electronic box 104 for amailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A mailboxmay include solar panel 105 and battery/electronic box 104 so as topower components of a mailbox including, but not limited to, internallock mechanism (FIG. 2 ) and/or adjustment mechanisms via vertical post106 and/or platform 107 (FIG. 1 ).

FIG. 6 depicts a ball detent latch mechanism for a mailbox according toan embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be appreciated thatthe latch mechanism may be provided in different forms including, butnot limited to, a screw or chain, without departing from the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7A depicts mail slot 103 for a mailbox according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. As described with respect to FIG. 1 , mailslot 103 may be positioned on a door on the body of the mailbox. Mailslot 103 may be large enough to receive mail such as letters,advertisements, and the like, particularly when the mailbox may belocked, and the door is unable to be opened. It should be appreciatedthat mail slot 103 may be provided to enable delivery of mail even whenthe body of the mailbox is otherwise locked. FIG. 7B depicts cover 108that may be positioned over the mail slot. Cover 108 may be presented,such as for weather protection; however, cover 108 also may be utilizedas a pull handle to open and close the mailbox in some embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts hand pull 801 for manual operation of a mailbox accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be appreciatedthat hand pull 801 may be used to pull the platform forward inembodiments of the present disclosure; however, hand pull 801 may beused for other operations of the mailbox without departing from thepresent disclosure.

While a standard mailbox having a vertical post is depicted, forexample, in FIGS. 1A-1B, it should be appreciated that other mailboxstructures may be employed without departing from the presentdisclosure. FIGS. 9A-9F depict another mailbox according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. As depicted in FIG. 9A, astructure, such as a brick structure, may be configured to receive asmart mailbox. While a brick structure is depicted in FIG. 9A, it shouldbe appreciated that other materials may be employed to form thestructure without departing from the present disclosure. FIG. 9B depictshow the smart mailbox may be moved in a horizontal direction. FIG. 9Cdepicts a slide mechanism positioned within the structure to move thesmart mailbox in a horizontal direction. FIG. 9D depicts the smartmailbox having an outer enclosure with a lattice bridge structure whenthe mailbox has been moved in a horizontal direction. FIG. 9E depicts aremovable assembly and repair cap for a mailbox slide enclosureaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 9Fdepicts another view of the mailbox slide enclosure.

FIG. 10 depicts a further mailbox structure according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. As depicted herein, a smart mailbox may beprovided in a stackable structure, such as for use within an apartmentbuilding or an office building. However, there may be other embodimentsof the present disclosure where the stackable structure or even a singlesmart mailbox may be mounted to a wall within an apartment building oran office building.

FIG. 11 depicts another mailbox according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 12 depicts a horizontal slide mechanism for amailbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13depicts another view of a horizontal slide mechanism for a mailboxaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 depicts abottom view of a horizontal slide mechanism for a mailbox according toan embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 15 depicts a view of amailbox in an open position according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 16 depicts a side view of a mailbox in an open positionaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 17-20 depictviews of a horizontal slide mechanism for a mailbox according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

It should be appreciated that a mailbox according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be formed through injection molding or forming offlat parts into a desired shape. A mailbox according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure may include integral triangulated bracing and asmooth flat floor. A mailbox according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure may use electric servos to raise and lower itself from remotelocations to adjust for different vehicle heights. Using two parallelbars, integral slides of a horizontal slide mechanism may glide back andforward never allowing rotational movements in embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

The mailbox according to embodiments of the present disclosure may notrelocate from the street; it may remain on the side of the road. Themailbox may allow for easy access to a driver with a horizontalmovement. This horizontal movement may be made either manually or withelectric servos to reach out farther, horizontally into the road, allwith integral slides. The mailbox may adjust in real time to allow usersto adjust horizontal position while in their vehicles for ease to accessthe contents of the mailbox. Movements on the mailbox may be controlledby remote, or smartphone, or have a manual movement ability inembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 depicts a top opening mailbox according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. This mailbox can be used in conjunction withstandard mailbox, alone, or with a front opening mailbox. This mailboxmay use a permanent concrete pillar mount. FIG. 22 depicts a bottom viewof a top opening mailbox according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 23 depicts an interior view of a top opening mailboxaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodimentmay include a solid integral mount system with a triangulated latticestructure. FIGS. 24-25 depict a top opening mailbox mounted to a solidmount according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 24depicts a permanent concrete pillar mount with a box moved to the side,and FIG. 25 depicts a permanent concrete pillar mount with lid shut.FIGS. 26-30 depicts a mount for a top opening mailbox according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. It may be clamped to a round mountpole for a standard mailbox as depicted in FIG. 26 . FIG. 27 depictsclamped to a round mount pole for a standard mailbox with a top openingbox installed. FIGS. 28-29 depict clamped to a square mount pole for astandard mailbox with a top opening box installed. FIG. 30 depicts aback view of a top opening mailbox according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. This view depicts an integral power container andreinforced integral hinge system. FIGS. 31-33 depict a top openingmailbox attached to a front opening mailbox according to an embodimentof the present disclosure.

A mailbox according to embodiments of the present disclosure may includea built-in delivery scanner, allowing a delivery service to scan itemsafter the delivery, to provide proof of delivery. There also may be anadditional box mount with top opening. This may allow delivery serviceto deliver large packages via delivery vehicle or drone without exitingthe vehicle. The mailbox may have an automatic opening/closing top.

Although the present disclosure and its advantages have been describedin detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutionsand alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, thescope of the present application is not intended to be limited to theparticular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, compositionof matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from thedisclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developedthat perform substantially the same function or achieve substantiallythe same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may beutilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appendedclaims are intended to include within their scope such processes,machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

1. An adjustable and lockable mailbox comprising: a body; a door affixedto a front portion of the body, the door having a mail slot; a coverover the mail slot, wherein the cover is capable of operating as ahandle; a horizontal sliding platform positioned below and glidablyattached to the body, the platform having a slide mechanism providingselective horizontal movement of the body to a plurality ofnon-predetermined positions; a vertical telescopic post attached to thebody, the vertical telescopic post providing vertical movement of thebody; and a lock mechanism inside the body to secure the door to thebody.
 2. The mailbox of claim 1 further comprising: at least one solarpanel affixed to the body to power the lock mechanism, the horizontalsliding platform, and/or the vertical telescopic post.
 3. The mailbox ofclaim 1 further comprising: a battery/electronic box affixed to the bodyto power the lock mechanism, the horizontal sliding platform, and/or thevertical telescopic post.
 4. The mailbox of claim 1 further comprising:a camera integrally mounted with the mailbox that allows a mailrecipient associated with the mailbox to monitor access to the mailbox.5. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the lock mechanism provides remotelocking for a mail recipient associated with the mailbox to selectivelypermit access to the mailbox.
 6. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein themailbox is provided in stackable form for use with an apartment oroffice building.
 7. The mailbox of claim 1, wherein the mailbox isprovided for insertion in a structure.
 8. An adjustable and lockablemailbox comprising: a body; a door affixed to a front portion of thebody, the door having a mail slot; a horizontal sliding platformpositioned below and glidably attached to the body, the platform havinga slide mechanism providing selective horizontal movement of the body toa plurality of non-predetermined positions; and a lock mechanism insidethe body to secure the door to the body.
 9. The mailbox of claim 9further comprising: a vertical telescopic post attached to the body, thevertical telescopic post providing vertical movement of the body throughpower of an adjustment mechanism.
 10. The mailbox of claim 9, wherein aninterior portion of the body has a bridge lattice structure.
 11. Themailbox of claim 9, wherein the mailbox is provided in stackable formfor use with an apartment or office building.
 12. The mailbox of claim9, wherein the mailbox is provided for insertion in a structure.
 13. Themailbox of claim 9 further comprising: a cover over the mail slot,wherein the cover is capable of operating as a handle.
 14. An adjustableand lockable mailbox comprising: a body; a door affixed to a frontportion of the body, the door having a mail slot; a cover over the mailslot, wherein the cover is capable of operating as a handle; ahorizontal sliding platform positioned below and glidably attached tothe body, the platform having a slide mechanism providing selectivehorizontal movement of the body to a plurality of non-predeterminedpositions; a vertical telescopic post attached to the body, the verticaltelescopic post providing vertical movement of the body; at least onesolar panel and a battery/electronic box affixed to the body to powerthe lock mechanism, the horizontal sliding platform, and/or the verticaltelescopic post, wherein the at least one solar panel and thebattery/electronic box provide a counterweight to balance the horizontalsliding platform; and a lock mechanism inside the body to secure thedoor to the body.